Stovepipe Damper System

ABSTRACT

A wood stove damper assembly includes a damper plate, a through shaft, and a cross shaft. The damper plate includes a plurality of risers and a plurality of through shaft guides. The through shaft includes a bore and the cross shaft is configured to engage the bore and the risers. The cross shaft is inserted through the bore in the through shaft such that the cross shaft engages the risers when installed. The damper assembly also includes a fastener applied to the end of the through shaft. When installed in a chimney pipe, the fastener is tightened to pull the through shaft, which pulls the cross shaft against the risers, which pulls the edge of the damper plate against the interior of the chimney pipe to hold the damper plate in any position. Methods for manufacturing and installing a damper assembly are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/728,527, filed on Nov. 20, 2012 by the same inventor and entitled “Stovepipe Damper System”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to dampers, and more particularly to dampers for stovepipes of wood stoves.

2. Description of the Background Art

A prior art stovepipe damper includes a damper blade, a through shaft, and a coil spring. The through shaft has a handle and a U-shaped portion that engages the damper blade. The spring exerts a force between the outside of the stovepipe and the handle which maintains the engagement between the U-shaped portion and the damper blade and also maintains the damper blade in the damping position set by a user.

Prior art stovepipe dampers suffer some serious drawbacks. Over time, the damper blade and its components undergo many heat cycles as the stove is used. These heat cycles cause the spring to relax (and sometimes totally fail) such that the force applied by the spring between the handle and the stovepipe is insufficient to keep the damper blade in the set position and/or to keep the U-shaped portion of the through shaft engaged with the damper blade. When either of these situations occurs, the damper blade can open without the user's knowledge. The open damper blade can cause an extremely hot fire in the stove, which in turn, can result in a chimney fire. The open damper blade also permits otherwise usable heat to be wasted to the atmosphere.

What is needed, therefore, is a stovepipe damper system that functions properly after being subjected to many heat cycles and has a long service life.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by providing a wood stove damper assembly that is resistant to failure associated with heat cycle fatigue. The invention maintains engagement between the damper assembly and the chimney pipe, which prevents the damper from opening without the user's knowledge and causing an unsafe condition or one where heat is being wasted to the atmosphere. Additionally, the damper assembly of the invention is rugged, is reusable, and has a long life.

A damper assembly of the invention includes a damper plate, a through member configured to be removably coupled to the damper plate along an axis, a cross member configured to removably engage the through member, and at least one coupling configured to removably couple the cross member to the damper plate when the cross member is engaged with the through member and is moved along the axis. The damper plate can be free of perforations. Each of the damper plate, the cross member, the through member, and the at least one coupling can be made from stainless steel. The damper assembly can be a set of separate parts or can be put together such that the through member is coupled to the damper plate and the cross member is engaged with the through member and is coupled to the damper plate via the coupling.

The through member includes various features. For example, to couple with the cross member, the through member can define a bore therethrough, where the bore defines a second axis perpendicular to the axis discussed above. The through member can also include at least a portion of a retaining mechanism (e.g., a thread set) at a distal end thereof. The damper assembly can then include a fastener (e.g., a flex lock locknut) configured to engage the threaded distal end of the through member. In still another embodiment, the through member defines at least a portion of a handle for rotating the damper plate and the coupling retains the through member and the handle in a fixed position relative to the damper plate when the cross member is coupled to the damper plate by the coupling.

In a particular embodiment, the coupling(s) include one or more riser(s). In the case of two risers, the first riser is coupled to the damper plate on a first side of the axis and the second riser is coupled to the damper plate on a second side of the axis opposite the first riser. Each of the risers can also include a channel formed in a lateral face thereof, where the channel is configured to receive and seat a portion of the cross member therein. Each of the risers can also include a retainer (e.g., a weld puddle, a crimp near the end of the channel, etc.) near an end of the channel furthest from the axis, where the retainer prevents movement of the cross member beyond the retainer along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis. The risers are also configured to seat the cross member above a surface of the damper plate.

The damper assembly can also include at least one guide coupled to the damper plate, where the guide is configured to removably engage the through member along the axis. In a more particular embodiment, the damper assembly includes a second guide coupled to the damper plate. The guide(s) permit the cross member to be engaged with the through member after the through member is engaged with at least one of the guide(s). Each of the guides can be tubular and/or include a bore therethrough.

The invention is also directed to a damper system comprising a chimney pipe including an interior, a first opening, and a second opening and a damper plate disposed within the interior of the chimney pipe. The damper plate includes a plurality of guides directly mounted to a surface of the damper plate along an axis and a plurality of risers directly mounted to the surface of the damper plate on different sides of the axis, where each of the risers defines a channel in a lateral face thereof. The damper system also includes a through shaft disposed through the first and second openings of the chimney pipe and through each of the guides of the damper plate. The through shaft includes a handle portion at a first distal end, a thread set at a second distal end, and a bore defining a second axis perpendicular to the axis. The handle portion and the thread set are at least partially disposed outside the chimney pipe. Additionally, the damper system includes a cross shaft disposed through the bore of the through shaft and seated in the channel of each of the risers and a fastener engaging the thread set. Tightening the fastener pulls the through shaft such that the cross shaft is pulled into the channel of each of the risers and an edge of the damper plate is pulled into contact with the interior of the chimney pipe. Accordingly, when the through shaft is rotated about the axis via the handle, the through shaft causes the cross shaft and the damper plate to also rotate about the axis.

The invention also discloses a method for manufacturing a damper system, where the method includes the steps of providing a damper plate, providing a cross member, providing a through member configured to engage the cross member, and placing at least one coupling on the damper plate at a location where the coupling can engage the cross member when the cross member is engaged with the through member and is moved along an axis.

The invention further discloses a method for installing a damper system. The method includes the steps of providing a damper plate including at least one riser coupled to a surface of the damper plate, providing a cross shaft, and providing a through shaft including a bore formed through the through shaft and at least a portion of a retaining mechanism at a first distal end. The method further includes the steps of positioning the damper plate within a chimney pipe, inserting the through shaft through the chimney pipe at a first location such that the bore is located within the chimney pipe, inserting the cross shaft through the bore, further inserting the through shaft until the cross shaft is engaged with the riser(s) and its distal end passes through the chimney pipe at a second location, and actuating the retaining mechanism to draw the cross shaft against the riser(s) and to draw the damper plate against an interior surface of the chimney pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numbers denote substantially similar elements:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a damper system, including a damper assembly installed in a chimney pipe, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view showing the damper assembly of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view showing the damper assembly of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a partially-sectioned side view showing the damper assembly of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 5 a is a top view of the damper assembly of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 5 b is a top view of the damper assembly of FIG. 1 shown partially disassembled;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the damper assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart summarizing a method of manufacturing a damper assembly according to the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart summarizing a method of installing a damper assembly in a chimney pipe according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by providing a wood stove damper that is resistant to failure associated with heat cycle fatigue. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth (e.g. fastener types, etc.) in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced apart from these specific details. In other instances, details of well-known manufacturing practices (e.g., metal stamping, casting, etc.) and components have been omitted, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a wood stove damper system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Damper system 100 includes a section of a metal stovepipe 102 and a damper assembly 104 installed in the stovepipe 102. Only portions of the damper assembly 104 located outside of the stovepipe 102 are shown in FIG. 1. Damper assembly 104 will be discussed in detail in subsequent figures.

In the present embodiment, stovepipe 102 is a section of a wood stove chimney but could be a chimney pipe used with other types of devices, such as wood-fired water boilers, etc. Stovepipe 102 includes a tapered bottom 106 for easy installation with other portions of the wood stove chimney. Stovepipe 102 is commercially available in varying diameters such as 6-inch, 8-inch, etc. Damper assembly 104 can be sized accordingly to the particular chimney application.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view showing damper assembly 104 in a closed position. In FIG. 2 stovepipe 102 is cut away along line A-A of FIG. 1 so that damper assembly 104 can be viewed in greater detail. Damper assembly 104 is supported by a pair of holes 204(1-2) formed on opposite sides of stovepipe 102. Holes 204(1-2) can be formed in stovepipe 102 by punching, drilling, etc.

Damper assembly 104 includes a damper plate 206, a through member (shaft) 208, a cross member (shaft) 210, a washer 212, and a temperature resistant (e.g. all metal, etc.) locknut 214. Damper plate 206 includes a set of through shaft guides 216 and a set of cross shaft risers 218. In the present embodiment, damper plate 206 is made from stainless steel plate (e.g., 3/16 inch, etc.) and is free of perforations through it. Being free of perforations facilitates more controlled damping of a fire in the woodstove and protects damper components on the back side of the plate 206 from the harsh environment of the wood stove. Damper plate 206 is sized to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of stovepipe 102 so that it can rotate therein.

Damper plate 206 includes two through shaft guides 216(1-2) that are coupled to (e.g., welded to, cast with, etc.) a surface thereof. Each through shaft guide 216(1-2) defines a bore that is sized to receive through shaft 208 therethrough. In the present embodiment, through shaft 208 is made from round rod and, therefore, the bores of guides 216(1-2) have a circular cross-section. However, the bores could have cross sections of other shapes. Guides 216(1-2) are also positioned on damper plate 206 such that their respective bores are coaxially aligned. Through shaft 208 is also aligned on this axis when it is installed through the guides 216(1-2). As shown in FIG. 2, the guides 216(1-2) maintain through shaft 208 slightly above the surface of damper plate 206, although this is not a requirement. While only two guides 216(1-2) are shown, additional or fewer guides 216 can be employed. For example, four short guides 216 or one longer guide 216 could be used. In the present embodiment, guides 216(1-2) are made from stainless steel.

Damper plate 206 also includes two risers 218(1-2) in the embodiment shown. Risers 218(1-2) are coupled to (e.g., welded to, cast with, etc.) the same surface of damper plate 206 as the guides 216(1-2), but are positioned on opposite sides of the axis defined by the bores of guides 216(1-2). Each riser 218(1-2) defines a respective channel 219(1-2) in a lateral surface thereof. The channels 219(1-2) are coaxially aligned and are positioned and sized to receive and seat cross shaft 210 therein when cross shaft 210 is engaged with through shaft 208. Because the cross shaft 210 passes through the middle of through shaft 208, channels 219(1-2) are located in the middle of the lateral surfaces of risers 218(1-2) above the surface of damper plate 206. In the present embodiment, cross shaft 210 is a round rod and, therefore, channels 219(1-2) have a height that is slightly greater than the outer diameter of cross shaft 210 so that they can readily receive cross shaft 210 therein. The edges of channels 219(1-2) can also be beveled to facilitate easy engagement with cross shaft 210. The channels 219(1-2) are also shown to extend the entire width of risers 218(1-2) to facilitate easy seating of the cross shaft 210, but this is not a requirement. In the present embodiment, risers 218(1-2) are made from stainless steel, for example, out of ⅜-inch square rod.

Through shaft 208 includes a threaded end 220, a through-hole 222, an axial portion 223, and a handle portion 224. When installed, the axial portion 223 of through shaft 208 is coaxially aligned with and disposed through the stovepipe holes 204(1-2), the bores of guides 216(1-2), and washer 212. The axial portion 223 also includes the threaded end 220, which extends through stovepipe hole 204(2) and mates with locknut 214. Through shaft 208 is threaded such that tightening the locknut 214 draws the axial portion 223 of through shaft 208 toward the locknut side of stovepipe 102. Through-hole 222 is a bore formed perpendicularly to axial portion 223 and is sized to receive cross shaft 210 therethrough. Handle portion 224 of through shaft 208 is defined by a slight bend near one end of through shaft 208. Handle portion 224 enables a user to rotate damper assembly 104 from outside of stovepipe 102. In other embodiments, handle portion 224 can be made into/include any desirable shape (e.g., decorative, triangular, etc.) and can be covered with an insulating material to protect a user's hands from heat. Through shaft 208 is made from stainless steel round rod, for example, in ⅜ inch diameter. In such a case, guides 216(1-2) can have a slightly larger bore to facilitate easy passage of through shaft 208.

Cross shaft 210 is also made from a stainless steel round rod in the present embodiment. The length of cross shaft 210 depends on the width between risers 218(1-2). The diameter of cross shaft 210 is selected such that cross shaft 210 can withstand the bending stresses applied to it by through shaft 208 and risers 218(1-2). A 3/16 inch diameter cross shaft 210 is suitable for many applications.

Damper assembly 104 can also include a retainer 226 (e.g., a weld puddle, etc.) placed over the outer end of each of channels 219(1-2) to ensure that cross shaft 210 is securely maintained within channels 219(1-2). The retainer 226 can also include a crimp formed by crimping the outer end of each of channels 219(1-2) to prevent the cross shaft 210 from sliding out of channels 219(1-2) and bore 222. However, the inventor believes that the force applied to cross shaft 210 via through shaft 208 and locknut 214 is sufficient to retain cross shaft 210 in channels 219(1-2) during operation even if retainer 226 is omitted. (Only one retainer 226(1) is shown in FIG. 2 so as not to obscure the other features of the invention and is otherwise omitted from the drawings.)

Washer 212 is disposed between locknut 214 and the exterior surface of stovepipe 102. When locknut 214 is tightened, washer 212 and the side (outer perimeter) of damper plate 206 firmly engage the exterior and interior surfaces, respectively, of stovepipe 102 so as to maintain a frictional force therebetween sufficient to keep damper assembly 104 in the closed and open positions and any desired position therebetween. Such frictional force can be increased as needed by tightening locknut 214. In the present embodiment, locknut 214 is an all stainless steel, flex lock locknut and washer 212 is a stainless steel flat washer. However, other retaining mechanisms can be used (e.g., a cammed lever lock, etc.) instead.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view showing damper assembly 104 in an open position, wherein stovepipe 102 is again cutaway along line A-A of FIG. 1. Damper assembly 104 is moved to the open position by the user by rotating handle 224 from a horizontal (FIG. 2) to a vertical position (FIG. 3). Note that the plane defined by the axial portion 223 and handle portion 224 of through shaft 208 is parallel to the plane defined by the damper plate 206. Accordingly, the user can quickly determine the position of the damper plate 206, and thus the amount of damping, based on the orientation of the handle 224.

It should also be noted that in many figures herein, damper assembly 104 is shown installed in a stovepipe 102. However, it is intended that the term “assembly” means a collection of parts whether or not those parts are actually put together.

FIG. 4 is a partially-sectioned side view of damper system 100 with damper assembly 104 in the closed position. (Stovepipe 102 is shown sectioned along line A-A of FIG. 1.) FIG. 4 shows how frictional force is established between damper assembly 104 and stovepipe 102 such that damper assembly 104 can be maintained in any rotational position set by handle portion 224.

Specifically, when locknut 214 is tightened, through shaft 208 is pulled toward locknut 214 such that it exerts a force on cross shaft 210. Cross shaft 210, in turn, exerts a force on risers 218(1-2) thereby forcing the side 228 of damper plate 206 against the interior wall of stovepipe 102. At the same time, a frictional force is also created between washer 212 and the outside of stovepipe 102.

The magnitudes of these frictional forces can be adjusted by tightening or loosening locknut 214. One advantage provided by the present invention is that the amount of friction and, therefore torque required to rotate damper assembly 104, can be adjusted by tightening or loosening locknut 214. Another advantage is that the locknut 214 in combination with the cross shaft 210 and risers 218(1-2) provide a positive locking mechanism for locking the damper blade 206 to the through-and-cross shaft assembly. The positive locking mechanism maintains the friction/torque setting of the damper assembly 104, even after many heat cycles, which prevents the damper plate 206 from opening and an over-fire situation from occurring in the wood stove. Thus, the invention provides a safety advantage over other dampers. This feature also ensures that the heat generated by the woodstove is used most efficiently.

FIG. 5 a is a top view of damper system 100 showing damper assembly 104 in a closed position. FIG. 5 a shows that a portion 250 of the sidewall of stovepipe 102 deflects under the force applied by locknut 214. (The deflection is shown representationally and may not be visible at the very top and/or bottom of stovepipe 102.) Such deflection is beneficial because it increases the friction force between the side 228 of damper plate 206 and the inner wall of stovepipe 102, which helps retain damper plate 206 in the desired position.

FIG. 5 b is a top view of damper system 100 shown partially disassembled. To remove damper assembly 104 from stovepipe 102, locknut 214 and washer 212 are first removed from threaded end 220 of through shaft 208 via some suitable tool (e.g., wrench, socket, etc.). Then, through shaft 208 is pulled by handle 224 outward along axis 500 thus freeing cross shaft 210 from risers 218(1-2). Next, cross shaft 210 is pulled out of bore 222 along axis 502, thus allowing through shaft 208 to be pulled the rest of the way out of guide(s) 216 and hole(s) 204 along axis 500. The damper plate 206 can then be removed from the stovepipe 102.

Thereafter, the stovepipe 102 can be replaced and the damper assembly 104 can be installed into the new stovepipe 102 in the reverse order and re-used. In particular, damper plate 206 is positioned in the new stovepipe 102. Then, the axial portion 223 of through shaft 208 is installed through hole 204(1) in the new stovepipe 102 and passed along axis 500 through the bore of guide 216(1) until the bore 222 of through shaft 208 is located within stovepipe 102 between guide 216(1) and risers 218(1-2). Then cross shaft 210 is inserted through bore 222. Through shaft 208 is then inserted further along axis 500 such that the threaded end 220 passes through guide 216(2) and the hole 204(2) in stovepipe 102. As through shaft 208 is inserted along axis 500, cross shaft 210 is seated within channels 219(1-2) of respective risers 218(1-2). Locknut 214 is then tightened on threaded end 220, which draws through shaft 208 toward locknut 214, which in turn draws the side 228 of damper plate 206 against the inner wall of stovepipe 102 due to the cross shaft 210 being engaged with risers 218(1-2). Locknut 214 is tightened to provide sufficient force to retain damper plate 206 in rotational position. It should be noted that the amount that through shaft 208 is initially inserted can vary (e.g., through shaft 208 can be initially inserted through more than just guide 216(1)), so long as cross shaft 210 can still be inserted in bore 222 and seated in channels 219(1-2).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of damper assembly 104 exploded along axis 500 and axis 502. Risers 218(1-2) are also shown to be positioned such that their channels 219(1-2) are coaxially aligned along axis 504. Coaxially aligning the channels 219(1-2) of risers 218(1-2) ensures that cross shaft 210 pulls approximately evenly against each riser 218(1-2) when locknut 214 is tightened. As explained above, risers 218(1-2) provide a means for removably coupling the cross shaft 210 to the damper plate 206 when the cross shaft 210 is engaged with the through shaft 208 and moved along the axis 500.

It should be noted that the guides 216(1-2) and risers 218(1-2) can be repositioned along axes 500 and 504 as desired so long as they do not interfere with the operation of damper assembly 104 and/or do not prohibit the installation of damper assembly 104. For example, guides 216(1-2) can be moved to the edge of damper plate 206. As another example, risers 218(1-2) can be moved outward along axis 504, which would make damper assembly 104 easier to turn using handle 224.

FIG. 6 also illustrates that the parts of damper assembly 104 can be readily manufactured. For example, damper plate 206 can be stamped or cut from sheet metal or metal plate or, alternatively, can be case. If cast, damper plate 206, guides 216(1-2), and risers 218(1-2) can be cast together and then machined (e.g., to create channels 219(1-2), bores in guides 216, etc.). Alternatively, guides 216(1-2) and/or risers 218(1-2) can be manufactured from metal rod using various machining techniques (e.g., sawing, milling, drilling, etc.) and then mounted (e.g., by welding) to damper plate 206. For example, risers 218(1-2) can be cut from square rod stock and channels 219(1-2) can be milled in the square rod stock, either before or after the square rod is cut. As another example, guides 216(1-2) can be cut from a metal tube or from square/round rod stock. In the case of rod stock, bores can be formed in the rod stock using a drill press or mill. Portions of the guides 216(1-2) and risers 218(1-2) can also be rounded and smoothed as desired and retainers 226 can be applied (e.g., by welding, crimping, etc.) before or after risers 218(1-2) are coupled to damper plate 206. Through shaft 208 and cross shaft 210 can be made from metal rod and machined (e.g., using a thread die, by drilling, using a torch and vice, etc.) as needed to create threaded end 220, bore 222, and/or handle portion 224 of through shaft 208. Various jigs can also be used during the manufacturing process, for example, to mount the guides 216(1-2) and risers 218(1-2) to damper plate 206 and/or to facilitate making the threaded end 220, bore 222, and/or handle portion 224 of through shaft 208. In a particular embodiment, all the components of damper assembly 104 are made from stainless steel.

The invention has now been described with respect to a damper system 100 and damper assembly 104 in particular. It should be understood that various modifications can be made to the present invention. For example, as explained above, each of risers 218(1-2) provides a coupling that removably couples cross shaft 210 to damper plate 206 when cross shaft 210 is engaged with through shaft 208 and moved along axis 500. However, other couplings are possible. For example, hooks could be punched out of damper plate 206 in place of risers 218. However, doing so would perforate damper plate 206. As another alternative embodiment, the damper assembly could be modified to include multiple iterations of risers 218 and cross shaft 210 and through shaft 208 could be modified to receive the multiple cross shafts 210. In still another alternative embodiment, one or both of guides 216 might be removed. These and other modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart summarizing a method 700 of manufacturing a damper assembly according to the invention. In a first step 702, a damper plate is provided, and in a second step 704, a cross member is provided. In a third step 706, a through member configured to engage the cross member is provided. Then, in a fourth step 708, at least one coupling is placed on the damper plate at a location where the coupling can engage the cross member when the cross member is engaged with the through member and is moved along an axis.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart summarizing a method 800 of installing a damper assembly in a chimney pipe according to the invention. In a first step 802, a damper plate including at least one riser coupled to a surface thereof is provided, and in a second step 804, a cross shaft is provided. In a third step 806, a through shaft is provided that includes a bore formed therethrough and at least a portion of a retaining mechanism at a distal end. In a fourth step 808, the damper plate is positioned within the chimney pipe, and in a fifth step 810, the through shaft is inserted through the chimney pipe at a first location such that the through shaft bore is located within the chimney pipe. Then, in a sixth step 812, the cross shaft is inserted through the bore in the through shaft and, in a seventh step 814, the through shaft is further inserted until the cross shaft engages the riser(s) and the distal end of the through shaft passes through the chimney pipe at a second location. Then, in an eighth step 816, the retaining mechanism is engaged to draw the cross shaft against the riser(s) and to draw the damper plate against an interior surface of the chimney pipe.

The description of particular embodiments of the present invention is now complete. Many of the described features may be substituted, altered or omitted without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, alternate fasteners (e.g., locking wing-nut, threaded lever, cam lever, etc.), may be substituted for locknut 214 so as to eliminate the need for additional tools. Furthermore, while the inventor has had good results using stainless steel, the components of damper assembly 104 can be constructed from other suitable materials. These and other deviations from the particular embodiments shown will be apparent to those skilled in the art, particularly in view of the foregoing disclosure. 

I claim:
 1. A damper assembly comprising: a damper plate; a through member configured to be removably coupled to said damper plate along an axis; a cross member configured to removably engage said through member; and at least one coupling configured to removably couple said cross-member to said damper plate when said cross member is engaged with said through member and is moved along said axis.
 2. The damper assembly of claim 1, wherein said coupling includes at least one riser fixed to said damper plate on a first side of said axis.
 3. The damper assembly of claim 2, wherein said coupling includes a second riser coupled to said damper plate on a second side of said axis opposite said riser.
 4. The damper assembly of claim 3, wherein each of said riser and said second riser includes a channel formed in a lateral face thereof, said channel configured to receive and seat a portion of said cross member therein.
 5. The damper assembly of claim 4, wherein each of said riser and said second riser includes a retainer near an end of said channel furthest from said axis, said retainer being configured to prevent movement of said cross member beyond said retainer along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said axis.
 6. The damper assembly of claim 5, wherein said retainer comprises a weld puddle.
 7. The damper assembly of claim 3, wherein said riser and said second riser are configured to seat said cross member above a surface of said damper plate.
 8. The damper assembly of claim 1, wherein: said through member defines at least a portion of a handle for rotating said damper plate; and said coupling retains said through member and said at least said portion of said handle in a fixed position relative to said damper plate when said cross member is coupled to said damper plate by said coupling.
 9. The damper assembly of claim 1, wherein: said through member defines a bore; and said bore is configured to receive said cross member therethrough.
 10. The damper assembly of claim 9, wherein said bore defines a second axis perpendicular to said axis.
 11. The damper assembly of claim 1, wherein said through member includes at least a portion of a retaining mechanism at a distal end of said through member.
 12. The damper assembly of claim 11, wherein said retaining mechanism includes: a threaded distal end of said through member; and a fastener configured to engage said threaded distal end.
 13. The damper assembly of claim 12, wherein said fastener comprises a flex lock locknut.
 14. The damper assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one guide coupled to said damper plate, said guide configured to removably engage said through member along said axis.
 15. The damper assembly of claim 14, further comprising a second guide coupled to said damper plate.
 16. The damper assembly of claim 14, wherein said at least one guide permits said cross member to be engaged with said through member after said through member is engaged with said at least one guide.
 17. The damper assembly of claim 14, wherein said at least one guide is tubular.
 18. The damper assembly of claim 1, wherein said damper plate is free of perforations.
 19. The damper assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said damper plate, said through member, and said cross member is made from stainless steel.
 20. The damper assembly of claim 1, further comprising a chimney pipe.
 21. The damper assembly of claim 1, wherein the components of said damper assembly are assembled such that said through member is coupled to said damper plate and said cross member is engaged with said through member and is coupled to said damper plate via said coupling.
 22. A damper system comprising: a damper plate; a through member configured to be removably coupled to said damper plate along an axis; a cross member configured to removably engage said through member; and means for removably coupling said cross member to said damper plate when said cross member is engaged with said through member and is moved along said axis.
 23. A damper system comprising: a chimney pipe including an interior, a first opening, and a second opening; a damper plate disposed within said interior of said chimney pipe, said damper plate including a plurality of guides directly mounted to a surface of said damper plate along an axis and a plurality of risers directly mounted to said surface of said damper plate on different sides of said axis, each of said risers defining a channel in a lateral face thereof; a through shaft disposed through said first and second openings of said chimney pipe and through each of said guides of said damper plate, said through shaft including a handle portion at a first distal end, a thread set at a second distal end, and a bore defining a second axis perpendicular to said axis, said handle portion and said thread set being at least partially disposed outside said chimney pipe; a cross shaft disposed through said bore of said through shaft and seated in said channel of each of said risers; and a fastener engaging said thread set; and wherein tightening said fastener pulls said through shaft such that said cross shaft is pulled into said channel of each of said risers and an edge of said damper plate is pulled into contact with said interior of said chimney pipe; and when said through shaft is rotated about said axis via said handle, said through shaft causes said cross shaft and said damper plate to also rotate about said axis. 